Growth from Stillness

The Costa Rica Project has taken on a life of its own - ironic since the name Casa De Nueva Vida means New Life! Gustavo, my architect and project manager,  sent me the updates today and here’s the latest:

• Electrical work on the 4 casitas is almost finished

• Interior finishing work will start in 15 days

• The pond to allay the mosquitos will be started next Tuesday (I have such vision for this little project! A floating solar fountain to disturb the surface of the water, a few fish, flowers that dragonflies love, and bat houses!)

• The iron structure for my house has been completely fabricated off site and will be moved to the project site next week

• He has hired a local man to plant the hedge around the property. And this is wild. 

  • #1 Costa Rica has a 12 month growing season! I can hardly wrap my head around it. 

  • #2 When these very common six foot flowering hedges are trimmed, the branches can be gathered and simply stuck into the ground during a new moon to grow. What?!! 

  • #3 Free hedge!

I’ve just hired an accountant in Costa Rica. And I’m working with my brilliant property manager/ business manager, Carla, on a mapped out plan to get the reservation system, website, and marketing on track for a mid-September soft opening. (my plan is to offer a half-price stay to friends and family into November in exchange for great reviews, suggestions for the project and telling everyone in your world about it! Let me know if you have some interest in coming to see me!)

Real estate is on track here in Colorado - I’m working with some really wonderful clients. From 1st time home buyers to clients that are downsizing from homes they’ve lived in for decades. If you know someone who needs real estate support, please connect us! I’d love to help.

I’m managing my mom’s house and happily supporting her as she ages and transitions to a life that requires more help.

It’s a lot. My brain is full. I’m writing in the margins of my calendar, and I’m tempted to let my motor rev 24/7. But I know where that path leads. My transportation device (my body) can’t take that kind of relentless pushing and she will crumple to the ground with injury and illness and exhaustion.  SO I’m focusing on stillness: meditation everyday (like my life depended on it, because it does!), gentle yoga, time with my supportive communities, writing, and even playing the piano a little bit. 

I was thinking about all of this when the picture of the vine on the tree from my last Costa Rica trip popped up and the resonance of the image rippled through me. That is the picture of the balance my life needs to have. The steady stillness of the tree - her mute strength - is provides structure for the exuberant growth and beauty of the vine. The vine without that tree would trail along the ground and eventually lose the sun. Being centered and quiet and sitting with my strength at my core is vital to my growth and this crazy expansion. 

I also started thinking about my place in the world. The world needs the old growth steadiness of trees that aren’t going anywhere. Whether it’s new plants just starting to stretch upwards to the canopy, or it’s those who have been scraped to the ground and are starting over. I want to offer that place of stability when I can. So I take walks and look at the raspberries that are coming on in the backyard and take time to just dream. I am here and available for the trailing vines looking for somewhere to climb.